Holiday Stress: The Dental Connection!

Now that the Holiday Season is in full swing, many people feel an increase in the level of stress.  Although excess stress can cause headaches, stomach aches, or even cause a feeling of "being on the edge," too much stress can also contribute to many dental problems as well! Many people don't realize that mouth sores, clenching, poor dental hygiene and gum disease are possible stress related problems that have been linked to oral health as well.

Don't let this year's holidays stress you out, instead, remember to pause and reflect on the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season!  If you have any additional questions related to stress and your oral health, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Happy Thanksgiving 2015!

Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry want to extend each and everyone of our patients a note of thanks for being a part of our dental family! May this holiday be filled with friends, family and great food!

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

God Bless,
DRT

Thanksgiving 2015!

With Thanksgiving 2015 on Thursday, a look at the history of the holiday is in order. When Americans sit down to dinner on the last Thursday of November, the day that Abraham Lincoln designated as the day on which Thanksgiving would be celebrated, they do so thinking that the first Thanksgiving feast was held in Plymouth in 1621.  But did you know, according to the National Geographic, the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez Coronado and his men celebrated a feast of Thanksgiving in Texas in 1541, giving Texas the distinction of being the first place where Thanksgiving was celebrated.

Did you also know, the Pilgrims at the Plymouth Plantation, celebrated an entirely different day of Thanksgiving in 1623. Plagued by a crop-destroying drought, the settlers prayed for relief.  They even fasted.  A few days later, they received rain that they so desperately needed.  Soon thereafter, they received another blessing when Captain Miles Standish came with staples that they could not otherwise obtain.  He also advised them that a Dutch supply ship was en route.  In gratitude for the abundance of these blessings, the Plymouth settlers celebrated a day of prayer and Thanksgiving on June 30, 1623.

Surviving journals of Edward Winslow that are housed at Plymouth Plantation also indicate that the first Thanksgiving feast was nothing like what Americans eat today.  The meal consisted of venison, various types of wild fowl (including wild turkey,) and Indian corn.  There were no cranberries, stuffing, pumpkin pie, potatoes, or any of the other "traditional" foods that appear on modern menus.

Today, Thanksgiving is still a day of feasting, and for some, a day of prayer and thanksgiving.  For others, it is a celebration of gathering, especially for families.  Still others may celebrate in entirely different ways, including watching college football games, or by playing family games.

No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, may we never forget the true blessings that God has given to each one of us! 

God Bless,

DRT

Women's Medications: The Dental Connection!

Women using medication to treat a variety of medical conditions are often unaware of the potential side effects.  One common side effect of the medications such as blood pressure medication, birth control pills, antidepressants, and cancer treatments is a dry mouth.

A dry mouth can lead to many undesirable side effects in the oral cavity including periodontal disease and a high rate of decay.  Many women who have not had a cavity in years will return for their routine exam and suddenly be plagued with a multitude of cavities around crowns and at the gum line, or suddenly have active periodontal disease.  And, the only thing that the patient may have changed in the past six months is a new medication.

Saliva washes away bacteria and cleans the oral cavity, and when salivary flow is diminished, harmful bacteria can flourish in the mouth leading to decay and gum disease.  Many medications can reduce the flow of saliva without the patient even realizing the side effect.  Birth control pills can also lead to a higher risk of inflammation and bleeding gums.  Patients undergoing cancer treatments, especially radiation to the head and neck region, can experience a greatly heightened risk of oral complications due to the possibility of damage to the salivary glands.

Although the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks associated with a dry mouth, it is very important to be aware of the potential unintended side effects.  There are many different treatments and approaches for a dry mouth ranging from over the counter remedies to prescription alternatives.

If you suffer from a dry mouth, have other dental questions, or are simply in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Erosion: The Dental Connection!

Many people consume carbonated or sugary drinks and acidic foods every day, but have no idea that those beverages may be harming their teeth, making them vulnerable to tooth erosion.   The acid in the foods that we eat and drink can cause tooth enamel to wear away, making your teeth sensitive and discolored.  And, in many cases, what's important is not what you eat and drink, but rather how you consume it.

Tooth erosion is the loss of tooth structure caused by the weakening of dental enamel, which is the strongest substance in the human body.  Enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape. When the enamel is weakened, it exposes the underlying dentin, which can cause the teeth to appear yellow.

Tooth erosion may occur when the acids in the foods and beverages that you eat and drink, as well as other factors, weaken the enamel.  Acid can come from many sources like carbonated drinks, fruit juices, sour foods and candies, low salivary volume, acid reflux disease, bulimia, binge drinking, or simple wear and tear.

Acid wear may lead to serious dental problems.  When the tooth enamel erodes, your teeth become more vulnerable to cavities and decay.  Dental erosion symptoms include severe sensitivity, tooth discoloration, rounded teeth, transparent teeth, visible cracks in teeth, or cupping, or dents, that show up on the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth.

There are many dental recommendations to prevent tooth erosion that include replacing carbonated drinks with water, consuming all acidic drinks quickly, consuming acidic foods with a meal, rinsing with water after consuming acidic foods, chewing sugar-free gum to produce more saliva, and brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste.

It is important to know that the majority of dental problems, such as tooth erosion, do not become visible or painful until they are advanced.  And, unfortunately, serious oral issues are painful and expensive to treat.  A professional cleaning and exam twice a year is the best way to detect and or treat any dental problems like erosion.

If you have any questions about tooth erosion or are in need of a dental appointment, feel free to call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT